Brazil president defends cost of World Cup on eve of tournament

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has defended the cost of hosting the World Cup on the eve of the competition starting. She also vowed to punish corruption and urged her compatriots to give visiting fans a warm welcome, during a television address.

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has defended the decision to host the World Cup, which has been heavily criticised in the country, and said the South American nation was ready for football's premier competition.

Ms Rousseff defended the cost of hosting the competition, vowed to punish corruption and urged compatriots to give visiting fans a warm welcome, in a television address.

The World Cup is set to kick-off tomorrow, with the host nation opening the tournament with their match against Croatia, and the president claimed "the pessimists" had been defeated by the determination of the Brazilian people.

She also rejected criticism that the country had overspent on the World Cup - which is set to cost close to £6.6 billion - saying the tournament would leave a lasting legacy.